101-Tips for Buying and Selling on eBay

Book excerpt: Introduction: Quit Your 9-to-5 Job and Become a Solopreneur 1. Your phone's alarm goes off. 2. It's time to get up, shower, grab a bagel and coffee on the way to work, and drive there. 3. You appear to be on autopilot every day. There's no need to think about it; just do it. For many people, a traditional 9-5 job, while somewhat secure, is not what they expected when they signed up for it. You may only have two weeks of vacation per year; the pay is pitiful; the people are a bunch of gossipers; and the work - well, let's just say you don't really need your degree to do what you're doing. People, particularly Millennials, are increasingly abandoning full-time employment. Climbing to the top of a company is no longer a common career path. Millennials, on the other hand, frequently see eBay, starting your own company, or growing your own business as the new norm. And the data backs this up: eBay is on the rise. eBay is one of the most active online marketplaces, with a multibillion-dollar turnover and over 180 million users. They were only of the workforce seven years ago. And it's only going to get worse as more people realize the freedom that being a solopreneur provides. If having *no* boss is what you're looking for, here's how to get it right away. There are some people who despise their 9-5 jobs. When they describe their job, it sounds like a prison sentence, complete with roadside manual labor and the old' shackle and chains. Their job makes them a prisoner, which they despise. Others adore their 9-to-5 jobs. They go to work and enjoy the fact that they have no ownership in the company and can leave at any time without incurring any liability. I've had several jobs. I spent the first half of my twenties starting seven businesses, six of which failed miserably and one of which became an overnight success (that I later walked away from). I then got a corporate job in a bank and had to wear a suit to work. The lobby resembled a hotel, and the language used was never profane. My next position was a cross between a startup and a corporate, with a focus on people management. You're trapped. As each day passes, you can't wait for the weekend to be over, so you don't have to think about work. No more bosses breathing down your neck, no more pre-planned breaks, and certainly no more long commutes. Weekends are your life. You know you don't want this job, but you're stuck with it. You want out but don't know how, whether you want to quit your job to travel more, try something new, or if you're just bored or unhappy with what you're doing. What are you going to do? How do you leave a stable and secure job to pursue a life of hustling for work? And can you make a living from eBay? Rarely Revealed Secrets to Making Money on eBay that Are Ideal for Complete Beginners “Do you believe you squandered an eBay opportunity? Consider again. eBay is one of the most active online marketplaces, with a multibillion-dollar turnover and over 180 million users. Its business model is so simple that you can start making money from your unwanted items in your cupboards, garage shed, or basement in as little as seven days. It's the ideal first side hustle, and this book will show you how. It's written for ambitious people who want to make money on eBay as quickly as possible. From your very first listing, you'll discover a step-by-step plan for generating consistent sales for your new business. It makes no difference whether you're selling your old items or have discovered a fantastic product that everyone requires. You'll get a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to make money from day one. Rarely shared shortcuts, insider knowledge, and a plethora of eBay business secrets will hasten your progress while saving you valuable time and effort. 101 Tips Buying and Selling on eBay Professional eBay buyers and sellers employ specific strategies and keys. Some of the information is drawn from my newsletter, while others are drawn from my books, The Fundamental Guide to eBay, Marketing Antiques and Collectibles on eBay, The eBay Power Seller's Guidebook, and The Wholesale Purchasing System. These titles can all be found on our website, http://www.auction-sellers-resource.com. You can also sign up for our free auction vendor e-newsletter, which is another resource for the ideas in this book. Below are more tips for sellers than for buyers. Even if you only buy on eBay.com and have no desire to become a seller, I recommend you read through all the suggestions because there is a lot of information that will undoubtedly make you a much better buyer. I'm guessing it falls under the category of "walking in the shoes of someone else." The more you understand about the procedure, the more enjoyable and fulfilling ebay.com can be. If you are a vendor or are interested in becoming a vendor, please visit our website. Even if you do not want to buy any of our academic handbooks, there are numerous free resources and excellent educational websites that can help you improve your selling skills. I would especially encourage you to go back and read previous issues of the e-newsletters. Let's get this party started. The first point is probably the most important, and it is linked to many of the others. Consider visiting a shopping mall where each store has a bulletin board near the entrance where customers can post notes about the products or services sold in each store. Do you believe this will improve customer service? That is the purpose of the ebay.com responses system. Obtaining and maintaining a high response ranking on ebay.com is critical to your long-term success. I'm guessing it falls under the category of "walking in someone else's shoes." The more you recognized about the procedure, the more enjoyable and satisfying ebay.com can be. If you are a vendor or are interested in becoming a vendor, I strongly encourage you to visit our website. Even if you do not wish to purchase any of our academic handbooks, there are numerous free resources and excellent educational websites that can enhance your selling experience. I would especially encourage you to read back issues of the e-newsletters. Let's get started. The first point is probably the most important, and many of the others are related to it. Consider going to a shopping mall where each store has a board near the entrance where customers can post notes about the products or services sold in each store. Do you think that would improve customer service? That is what the ebay.com responses system is all about. Obtaining and maintaining a high response ranking is critical to your long-term success on ebay.com. Ebay.com is a registered trademark of the eBay Inc. Ebay.com neither endorses nor participates in the web content, advertising, marketing, or distribution of this guidebook. Vision-One Press, a subsidiary of McGrath, Inc., 1004 Business Ave., PMB 223, Anacortes, WA 98221, published and copyrighted in the United States in 2003. Under international copyright conventions, all civil liberties are reserved. No part of this book (except hypertext html links and html examples) may be duplicated or used in any way, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, taping, or any type of information media. Customer Suggestions Almost everyone begins their eBay experience as a buyer. Knowing how to buy successfully will enhance your eBay experience and prepare you to become a vendor. I recommend that you make at least 10 successful eBay transactions before making an offer. We hope that the following suggestions will help you become a better and more successful customer.